Ankle support



April 4, 1967 A. c. PECKHAM ANKLE SUPPORT Filed March 5, 196

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United States Patent 3,312,219 ANKLE SUPPORT Arthur C. Peckham, 606-610 .Woolworth Bldg., Watertowu, N.Y. 13601 Filed Mar. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 438,468 3 Claims. (Cl. 128--166) This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 387,864, filed Aug. 6, 1964, now abandoned by the same applicant. The invention relates generally to orthopedic supports or braces, and has particular reference to a novel support for the limbs and joints of the human body, the support being adapted for use on parts of the body that have been injured and also in reventing injuries before they occur.

More specifically, the present invention is directed to a support of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,050,- 053, issued Aug. 21, 1962, to the applicant herein, and the fundamental purpose of the new support and the :previously patented support is essentially the same. Thus, as is pointed out in considerable detail in the patent disclosure, the invention is intended to provide an adhesive tape type of support wherein tapes are pre-assembled in such a manner as to enable the user to quickly and easily apply the support himself and be assured of proper and uniform application on each use.

The support disclosed in the above noted patent includes as an important part thereof a limb or joint encircling member in the form of a stretchable woven fabric sleeve. To this sleeve, flexible straps or tapes are secured in a precise predetermined angular pattern so that if the sleeve is initially positioned in proper position'on the limb, the tapes are automatically directed into proper position for supporting the limb in the best possible way. While the sleeve type support can perform in the advantageous manner set forth in the patent, some problems have been encountered in connection with its manufacture. Thus, it has been found difficult to machine assemble the woven fabric sleeve member and the tapes, and in particular to have the tapes arranged in the kind of angular pattern that was thought to be necessary.

In the present invention the construction and arrangement of the support has been changed in such a way that the problems noted above have been eliminated and some important improvements have been effected. Thus, the sleeve member has been omitted altogether and a different construction has been substituted which involves no manufacturing difiiculties. 'Mo'reover, it has been found. that elimination of the limb encircling sleeve is very desirable in most instances since it :permits more of each tape to directly'engage the limb requiring the support.

With the foregoing and other considerations in view, therefore, it is the broad objective of the present invention to provide an effective orthopedic support which is prearranged to ensure proper application by any user and, at the same time, can be simplyand economically manu factored.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support of the character described which is adapted for use both in the prevention and treatment of injuries.

A further object of the invention is to provide a support of the character described which ensures that the support will be substantially uniformly applied in every instance and that the protection afforded will be uniform.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a support of the character-described which is quick and easy to apply and remove, nospecial training being required to ensure proper application.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support of the character described which provides superior protection without restricting circulation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be- 3 ,3 12,2 1 9 Patented Apr. 4, 1967 "ice come apparent from the following detailed description thereof read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a representative embodiment of the invention for the purpose of disclosure.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of an ankle support embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the support taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top perspective view of an independent retaining strap which can be used in conjunction with the support of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view illustrating the support of the invention in the process of being applied to an ankle; and

FIGURE 5 is a view corresponding to FIGURE 4 with the application of the support completed.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers designate the same part in each of the views, 10 generally indicates an ankle support such as is contemplated by the invention. The support 10 is comprised of a center or principal strap member 12 and a plurality of additional strap members generally designated 14 which are secured in a particular sequential arrangement to one side of the central strap and project outwardly from the opposite side edges thereof as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4. The other side of the center strap or tape 12, which will hereinafter be referred to as the upper side, is provided with an adhesive coating 16, FIGURE 2, and the upper sides of the straps or tapes 14 are likewise provided with an adhesive coating 17.

To prevent the straps 12 and 14 from sticking to one another before application of the support, each is cov ered with an easily removable protective strip 18 of a non-adhesive material such as paper or plastic. The strips 18 are formed with folded-over tabs 20 to facilitate grasping them for removal. For convenience, the center strap 12 may be provided with two such protective strips 18' and the tabs thereof may bear some indicia such as a letter or number, see FIGURE 1.

The straps 12 and 14 can be formed of any suitable material having sufficient' strength and flexibility and, depending on the material used, it may or may not be coated with another material. The cross straps 14 are permanently secured to the center strap 12 as by. stitching, adhesive means or any other suitable method. Straps 14 are disposed at substantially right angles to the center strap since it has been found that such an arrangement provides as good protection as the patented support previously referred to and greatly facilitates manufacturing the support.

The cross straps 14, which are specifically designated 14a14h, become progressively-longer from one end of the center strap 12 to the other, and the support is adapted to be applied to the foot with the short straps adjacent the ball andlong straps adjacent the heel as indicated in FIGURE 4. Starting with the shortest strap 14a and progressing rearwardly or to the right as viewed in FIG- URE 1, strap 14a overlies strap 14b, strap 14b overlies strap 14c and so on back to the rearmost strap 14 See also FIGURE 2. The two longest straps 14g and 1412 are forward-of strap 14 but the latter overlies strap 14g which in turn overlies strap 1411.

In applying the support 10, FIGURES 4 and 5, the protective'strips 18' are removed from the center strap 12 and the latter is positioned longitudinally and centrally on the bottom of the foot to which it adheres due to its adhesive coating 16. When positioning the center strap, the forward end thereof should be in line with the ball of the foot which initially locates the support in proper position. The center strap is thus the locating portion of the support by means of which the latter can be initially positioned on the foot for proper engagement with the ankle.

After attaching the center strap, straps 14a-14h are applied sequentially with the protective strips 18 being removed from the adhesive surface of each strap just before it is applied. In applying the straps 14 it is immaterial Whether the right or left hand extension of the strap is engaged with the foot first, although a neater job will result if the same order is followed for all the straps. The foot 22 of FIGURES 4 and 5 is shown as a left foot and the left hand extension of strap 14a has been applied to the foot first and then the right hand extension, which pattern will normally be followed for all of the straps.

Due to the above described progressive or sequential overlapping relationship of the straps 14, it would be almost impossible to apply the straps in a wrong sequence and still have smooth, wrinkle-free engagement with the foot. Thus, the next strap to apply at any point in the application of the support is always the strap that is uppermost. Nevertheless, in order to make the application even more foolproof and simplify any printed instructions there may be, the protective strips 18 for the straps 14a-14h may be sequentially numbered as shown and, if desired, the tabs for the strips 18' covering the center strap 12 can be designated as by the letters AA. It will be understood, of course, that the overlapping relation and order of applying straps 14 could be completely reversed if desired, whereby application of the straps would proceed from heel to toe.

As indicated in FIGURES 4 and 5, cross straps 14a14c are normally wrapped around the foot while straps 14d- 14f normally extend straight up the sides of the ankle and lower leg. Straps 14g and 14h, the last cross straps to be applied, also extend up the leg and it will be noted that these are tilted forward a slight amount as indicated at 24 in FIGURE 1. Since straps 14g and 14h are longer than the others, the slight forward angle thereof allows them to follow the natural line of the leg which tilts slightly forward when the foot is fiat. In addition, this construction, as well as the over-all symmetrical arrangement of the entire device, allows the support shown to be used with either the right or left foot without modification.

If desired, the adhesive coating can be left off the center strap 12 and this in turn will eliminate the need for the protective strips 18. In such case, the support can be placed with its upper side facing up on a bench or stool and the foot is then placed in engagement therewith in proper locating position as above described. Thereafter, the straps 14 can be applied in the manner already set forth to secure the support on the angle.

The support may include a separate retaining strap 26, FIGURE 3, which strap is provided with an adhesive coating 27 and protective strips 28 having removable tabs marked with the letters B-B. Upon removal of the protective strips, this strap can be wrapped in encircling fashion around the leg to overlie the terminal ends of the upwardly extending cross straps and reduce the possibility of their starting to peel away from the leg.

With the above described arrangement, it will be apparent that the support 10 is constructed so that it can accommodate different adult foot sizes except in extreme cases. In addition, it should be noted that the cross straps 14 normally cannot interfere with the wearers circulation, and that retaining strap 26 will not restrict circulation it applied fairly loosely, its only purpose being to cover the ends of the cross straps as noted above.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to an angle support, it will be understood that its construction lends itself to use with other limbs. For

example, the support on a smaller scale and without any material modification can be advantageously used in the treatment of finger injuries.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the invention disclosed herein provides a novel and highly useful orthopedic support. As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiment disclosed is, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative rather than restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an orthopedic support of the character described: a flexible strap member having a length such that it will extend from the sole area to the heel area of a human foot when disposed longitudinally along the bottom thereof; said strap member having adhesive means on one side for securing it in fixed relation to the bottom of the foot; a plurality of additional flexible strap members secured in substantially crosswise fashion to the other side of said first-named strap member; said last-named str-ap members being positioned along substantially the entire length of the first-named member and extending outwardly therefrom for direct wrapping engagement with the foot, ankle and lower leg; and adhesive means on the outwardly extending portions of said additional strap members for maintaining said wrapping engagement whereby substantially the entire support adhesively contacts the portions of the foot, ankle and lower leg that are engaged thereby.

2. A support device for an ankle comprised solely of a plurality of pre-assembled non-elastic strap members having varying predetermined lengths; said strap assembly including a single central strap member having adhesive means on one side thereof for securing it in fixed, longitudinally disposed relation to the bottom of the foot to initially position the support device for proper engagement with the ankle; each of the remaining strap members being secured to the other side of said central strap member at substantially right angles thereto; all of said last-named members extending outwardly from said central strap member for direct wrapping engagement with the foot, ankle and lower leg and having adhesive means thereon for maintaining said engagement whereby substantially all parts of said strap assembly are in fixed adhesive contact with the foot, ankle or lower leg.

3. A support device as defined in claim 2 wherein said remaining strap members are positioned along substantially the entire length of said central strap member and become progressively longer from one end of the central member to the other, each of said remaining strap members partially overlapping the next adjacent member starting with the shortest member and proceeding to the longest whereby the members are adapted to be successively wrapped into engagement with the foot, ankle and lower leg starting with the shortest strap member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,243,422 5/1941 Hollander et al. 128-165 2,484,130 10/1949 Thibault 128166.5

2,658,510 11/1953 Hilton 128--16S 3,050,053 8/ 1962 Peckham 128-166 FOREIGN PATENTS 512,162 11/1930 Germany.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Ex'aminer.

J. W. HINEY, Assistant Examiner, 

1. IN AN ORTHOPEDIC SUPPORT OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED: A FLEXIBLE STRAP MEMBER HAVING A LENGTH SUCH THAT IT WILL EXTEND FROM THE SOLE AREA TO THE HEEL AREA OF A HUMAN FOOT WHEN DISPOSED LONGITUDINALLY ALONG THE BOTTOM THEREOF; SAID STRAP MEMBER HAVING ADHESIVE MEANS ON ONE SIDE FOR SECURING IT IN FIXED RELATION TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOT; A PLURALITY OF ADDITIONAL FLEXIBLE STRAP MEMBERS SECURED IN SUBSTANTIALLY CROSSWISE FASHION TO THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID FIRST-NAMED STRAP MEMBER; SAID LAST-NAMED STRAP MEMBERS BEING POSITIONED ALONG SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE FIRST-NAMED MEMBER AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM FOR DIRECT WRAPPING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FOOT, ANKLE AND LOWER LEG; AND ADHESIVE MEANS ON THE OUTWARDLY EXTENDING PORTIONS OF SAID ADDITIONAL STRAP MEMBERS FOR MAINTAINING SAID WRAPPING ENGAGEMENT WHEREBY SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE SUPPORT ADHESIVELY CONTACTS THE PORTIONS OF THE FOOT, ANKLE AND LOWER LEG THAT ARE ENGAGED THEREBY. 